Hair curler



May 19, 1942. 1 K CROTTS 2,283,426

HAIR CURLER Filed March 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheer:l 2

gnwcnhyb :JAMES CFOTTS Patented May 19, 1942 U ETED STATES 7 Claims.

This invention relates to hair curlers, and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and eflicient hair curler which is so constructed as to firmly grip the hair between the clamping jaws, and which is provided with means for tightly winding the hair about the clamping jaws and holding the hair in this wound position for curling without the necessity of employing additional fastening means to hold the curler in place.

A further object of this invention is the production of a simple and eflicient curler having a hair-engaging element rotatably mounted to circle about the hair clamping jaws in a manner to roll the hair upon the jaws and rmly hold the hair in this rolled position for curling without requiring additional locking means, thereby providing an automatic retaining means for the curler.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawings: Y

Figure l is a side elevational view of the curler;

Figure 2 is a top plan view; Y

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view looking at the outer opening end of the curler;

'Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6 5 of Figure 3; Y

Figure '7 is a perspective view of one form of journal for supporting the rotating element;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view weight material.

the form of the device shown in Figures 13 and 14 with the rotating element extended;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the rotating element shownin Figures 13 to 15; and

Figure 17 is a View looking at the inner end of the curler, shown in Figures 13 to'15.

By referring to the drawings it will be seen that I5 designates the primary jaw to which is hingedlyV connected the secondary jaw I6 by means of a journal pin Il mounted near one end. The jaw I5 is preferably circular in cross section and the jaw I6 is preferably semi-circular in cross section and is adapted to overlie the primary jaw I5 when in a closed position as shown in Figure 6. These jaws may preferably be formed of aluminum or. other suitable light- The jaw l5 is provided with an angularly extending nger-engaging lip I8 of one form of rotating element the journals being shown in section;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the element A shown in Figure 8, the journals being shown in section;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of rotating element and supporting journal and end structure;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one type of closure spring for the clamping jaws;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a further ype of closure spring for the clamping jaws;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view, partly in section showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional View of structure Cil and the jaw I6 is provided with an angularly eX- tending lip I9, the lips I8 and I9 diverging and being carried by the rear ends of the jaws-I5 and I6.

A pair of spaced substantially V-shaped at` springs 2B are tted between the lipsv I8 and I9, the outer ends of the springs 2l) abutting against the inturned flanges 2i formed upon the respective ends of the lips I8 and I9. These springs 20 are adapted to spread the lips I8 and vI9 apart to hold the jaws in a yieldable closed position.

A rotatingelement preferably formed'from a wire strand is carried by the journal pin I'I and is rotatably mounted therethrough, and this rotating element comprises a journal shank 22 which is rotatably mounted through the journal pin -II as above stated, the outer end also being rotatably mounted through a journal pin 23 mounted near the outer end of the primary jaw I5. The end of the shank 22 is bent laterally to provide astop 24 to limit the movement of the shank 22 in one directionthe shank 22 being also bent laterally beyond the journal pin I1 to provide an abutment shoulder 25. The abutment shoulder A25 is adapted to limit the longitudinal movement of the shank V2l. in one direction and the laterally bent end 24 is adapted to limit the longitudinal movement of the shank 22 `in the opposite direction. The shank 22vcarries a finger-engaging loop 2S at its rear end, which Yloop overlies the lip I3, as shown in Figures.v 1 and 3, and may be lrotated about the lip I8. The loop 26 carries a hair-engaging shank or ringer 21 which extends forwardly and overlies the jaw I6 when the parts are in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3, andA this. hair-engaging finger or shank 21 is adapted to rotateabout the `jaws I5 and I6 for winding the hair about the jaws I5 and I6.A

The hair curler may be placed in position by pressing the lips I8 and I9 together by means of the fingers of the operator and placing the hair between the jaws I5 and I6. The lips I8 and I9 may then be released and the springs 20 will cause the jaws I 5 and I6 to firmly clamp the hair therebetween, and the operator may then grip the loop 26 between the lingers and by rotating the loop 25 about the lips I8 and I9 the shank or hair-engaging finger 2l when rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 6 will cause the hair to be wound about the jaws I5 and I6 in the manner shown in Figure -6'. As soon as this rotation is discontinued the shank or nger 2l will hold the hair in a set wound position without the necessity of employing other fastening means, the position of the parts automatically locking the curler in position.

' Various means may be employed for holding the rotating element comprising the shank 22, the' loop 26 and shank or nger 21 in rotatable engagement with the jaws I5 and I6, and the journal 23 may be replaced by a suitable journal plate 23a, shown in Figure '7. The shank 22u shown in Figures 8 and 9, which figures illustrate a modified type of shank, maybe held against longitudinal movement through the journals IIa and 23D by means ofthe flattened portions 28 and 29.

, As shown in Figure 10 the rotating member may be provided with a shank 22h having an offset portion 36 passing through the journal I'Ib, and the outer end of the shank 22h may be provided with a laterally coiled terminal 3| to rotate within the outer end of the jaw I 5a shown in dotted lines.

As shown in Figure l2 the two spaced springs 26 may be replaced by a single spring 29a having an aperture 32 through which the rotating shank 22e may extend, the shank 22e having an offset portion 25a beyond the spring 20a.

In Figure 1l there is also shown a further modified form wherein a wire spring 33 may be utilized in place of the springs 20 if desired. When the springs 26, as well as the spring 33, are used sufficient space must'be provided to permit the rotation of the loop 26 of the rotating element to freely move about the clamping jaws and the lips I8 and I9.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a very eii'cient hair curling device is provided in the nature of the hair clamping jaws which support a rotating element which is carried by and anchored in engagement with the jaws in a manner whereby the rotating element may be rotated about the jaws when the jaws are in a clamped position, the rotating element having a finger-engaging loop to facilitate the rotation of the rotating element and also being provided with a hair-engaging finger or shank for winding the hair about the jaws. This structure also provides an automatic locking means for holding the parts in a set position as soon as rotating movement is discontinued, thereby avoiding the necessity of auxiliary or additional locking means.

By considering Figures 13 to 17, it will be seen that a form of curler is illustrated comprising a tubular primary jaw 35, to which is hingedly connected the secondary jaw 36 by means of oppositely positioned hollow rivets or eyelets 31. The jaw 35 is perferably circular in cross-section and perforated, as shown. The jaw36 is preferably semi-circular and is adapted to overlie the primary jaw 35 in a manner similar to the form shown in Figure 6. Each jaw 35 and 36 is provided with a rearwardly extending lip 38 having an inturned flange 39 at its outer end. The jaws 35 and 36 diverge outwardly toward their outer ends, as shown in Figures 13 and 15. A V-shaped spring 40 ts between the jaws 35 and 36 for normally holding the jaws in spread-apart relation, the ends of the spring 40 engaging the flanges 39 and being held in position thereby.

A rotating element is carried by the jaws and comprises a shank portion 4I which extends s through the apex of the spring 40 and is journaled therein, as shown in Figure 15. The inner end of the shank 4I carries a, spiral coil 42 having a-plurality of convolutions of a diameter to snugly t in the tubular primary jaw 35, to brace the rotating member. A sharp right-angle bend 43 is formed at the junction of the spiral coil 42 with the shank portion 4I to prevent the rotating member from being detached from the spring 40, this bend 43 constituting a, stop to limit sliding movement of the shank 4I in one direction. Ihe shank 4I is provided with a, finger-engaging loop 44 which terminates in a hair-engaging loop or shank 45, in the nature of an overlying loop snugly engaging the jaw 36 when in one position. This shank 45 is adapted to ride upon the lip 38 of the jaw 36 when the finger-engaging loop 44 is moved away from the jaws 35 and 36 to the position shown in Figure 15, thereby spacing the shank 45 away from the jaw 36. The outer end of the loop or shank 45 is out-turned as shown at 46.

' The spiral coil 42 serves to center the rotating member within the tubular shank 35 and holds the rotating member steady at the same time allowing the wire rotating member to be completely formed before extending the rotating member through the apex of the spring 40. When assembling the device the jaws are riveted together, the spring 44 is slipped over the shank 4I by threading the coil 42 through the apertured apex of the spring 46 and the coil is slipped into the tubular primary jaw 35. 'I'he spring 40 is then placed between the lips 38 in a position to cause the ends of the spring 40 to abut against the flanges 39. When the rotating member comprising the shank 4I and associated members is drawn to the position shown in Figure 12, the ends of the hair may be caught between the jaws 35 and 36.v The whole device is then rotated as far as desired, winding the hair around the jaws and then the wire or rotating member is pushed to the position shown in Figure 13 and then rotated until exactly the right amount of hair is wound upon the jaws where the curler may remain until it is desired to remove the curler from the hair.

When the hair is gripped between the jaws 35 and 36 should any short ends of hair project, and if rotated while in this position, there will be a reverse bend put in the ends of the hair, but by leaving the wire pushed into the tube, as shown in Figure 13, and'rotating the wire in the direction of the short ends and around the tube before the hair is rolled upon the tube, the short ends of the hair will be rolled correctly and held until the tube is retained for a suiicient time to hold these loose ends under the rolled hair. The wire or shank 45 thereof may then be withdrawn out of the way and the rolling continued to the desired point. The shank 45 may then be pushed back in and rotatedv to the proper holding position.

It should be understood that after the hair has been properly set the curler may be easily removed without disturbing the set curl, and because of the structure of the curler the hair will be smoothed and tightened when wound upon the curler to properly set the curl.

Certain detail changes in the structure may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described lthe invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A hair curling device of the class described comprising a plurality of clamping jaws hingedly connected together, each jaw having a diverging finger-engaging lip at one end, spring means carried by the lips for spreading the lips apart and closing the jaws together, the outer ends of the jaws having inturned anges to provide abutments for said spring means, means for winding hair about the jaws and for holding the hair `in this wound position, said spring means having an aperture, and said last mentioned means passing through said aperture.

2. A hair curler device of the class described comprising a pair of hingedly connected springpressed jaws, a rotating element carried by the jaws and having a hair-engaging finger mounted for rotating movement about the jaws and adapted to engage hair and wind the hair about the jaws, and being also adapted to automatically hold the device in a set position when rotation of the rotating element is discontinued, said rotating element having a yieldable iinger-engaging means extending beyond the jaws at one end to facilitate the rotation of the rotating element and yieldable under pressure of the opening of the jaws, and said rotating element extending substantially the full length of said jaws and lying in close proximity to the jaws to frictionally hold the rotating element in a set position when rotation is discontinued.

3. A hair curler device-of the class described comprising a pairv of hingedly connected springpressed jaws, a rotating element carried by the jaws and having a hair-engaging finger mounted for rotating movement about the jaws and adapted to engage hair and wind the hair about the jaws, and being also adapted to automatically hold the device in a set position when rotation of the rotating element is discontinued, said rotating element having a finger-engaging means extending beyond the jaws at one end to facilitate the rotation of the rotating element, journals carried by said jaws, and means carried by the rotating element for limiting longitudinal movement of the rotating element through the journals while permitting rotatable movement Within the journals.

4. A hair curler of the class described comprising a pair of hingedly connected spring-pressed jaws, a rotating element carried by the jaws and having a hair-engaging finger mounted for rotating movement about the jaws and adapted to engage hair and wind the hair about the jaws, and being also adapted to automatically hold the device in a set position when rotation of the rotating element is discontinued, said rotating element having a finger-engaging means extending beyond the jaws at one end to facilitate the rotation of the rotating element, means for limit ing `the longitudinal movement of the rotating element within the jaws, and guiding means formed at the end of the rotating element and rotatable within the jaws for bracing the outer end of the rotating element.

5. A hair curler of the class described comprising a pair of hingedly connected spring-pressed jaws, a rotating element' carried by the jaws and having a hair-engaging nger mounted for rotating movement about the jaws and adapted to engage hair and wind the hair about the jaws, and being also adapted to automatically hold the device in a set position when rotation of the rotating element is discontinued, said rotating element having a iinger-engaging means extending beyond the jaws at one end to facilitate the rotation of the rotating element, means for limiting the longitudinal movement of the rotating element within the jaws, guiding means formed at one endof the rotating element and rotatable within the jaws for bracing the outer end of the rotating element, and said guiding means comprising a laterally coiled terminal.

6. A hair curler of the class described comprising` a pair of hingedly connected spring-pressed jaws, a rotating element carried by the jaws and having a hair-engaging finger mounted for rotating movement about the jaws and adapted to engage hair and wind the hair about-the jaws, and being also adapted to automatically hold the device in a set position when rotation of the rotating element is discontinued, said rotating element having a finger-engaging means extending beyond the jaws at one end to facilitate the rotation oi the rotating element, means for limiting the longitudinal movement of the rotating element within the jaws, guiding means formed at one end of the rotating element and rotatable within the jaws for bracing the outer end of the rotating element, said guiding means comprising a laterally coiled terminal composed of a plurality of convolutions of a diameter to snugly t within one of the jaws to guide lthe rotating element in its sliding movement.

'7. A hair curler of the class described comprising a pair of hingedly connected spring-pressed jaws, a rotating element carried by the jaws and having a hair-engaging Viinger mounted for rotating movement about the jaws and adapted to engage hair and wind the hair about the jaws, and being also adapted to automatically hold the device in a set position when rotation of the rotating element is discontinued, said rotating element having a finger-engaging means extending beyond lthe jaws at one end to facilitate the rotation of the rotating element, the jaws being diverging lips, a V-shaped spring engaging the lips and normally holding the lips in spreadapart relation, said rotating element having a shank extending through the apex of the spring, an abutment shoulder formed at substantially right-angles to the shank to limit longitudinal movement of the shank in one direction, one of the jaws being circular in cross-section, and a spiral coil carried at one end of the shank, the coil comprising a plurality of convolutions of a diameter to snugly t within one of the jaws JAMES K. CROT'I'S. 

